PROJECT 1

AIM: to study the various factors on which the internal resistance/emf

of a cell depends

APPARATUS
A potentiometer, a battery (battery eliminator) , two-way
keys, a rheostat of low resistance, a galvanometer, a high resistance,
an ammeter, a cell( Leclanche or Daniel cell), a jockey, a set square
connecting wires, water bath, thermometer(0- 100°c),a burner, tripod
stand, wire gauze, etc.

THEORY
The internal resistance of a cell is the resistance offered by its
electrolyte to the flow of ions. The internal resistance of a cell

I. is directly proportional to the distance between the electrodes

II. inversely proportional to facing surface area of electrodes in electrolytes
III. decrease with increase in temperature of electrolyte

inversely proportional to concentration of the electrolyte

IV.
The internal resistance of a cell is given by

Where l1 and l2 are the balancing lengths without

resistance and with resistance (shunt) respectively and r is the shunt
resistance in parallel with a given cell

CIRCIUT DIAGRAM
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PROCEDURE

Step 1

1. Arrange apparatus as shown in circuit diagram.

2. Clean the ends of the connecting wires with sand paper and make

tight connections according to the circuit diagram.

3. Tighten the plugs of the resistance box.

4. Check the e.m.f of the battery and cell and see that e.m.f of the

battery is more than that of the given cell, otherwise null or balance

point will not obtained (E’>E).

5. Take maximum current from the battery, making rheostat resistance

small.

6. To test the correctness of the connections. (Insert the plug in the

key K and note the ammeter reading. Take out 2000 ohms resistance
1
plug from the resistance box. Place the jockey first at the end P of the

wire and then at the end Q. If the galvanometer shows deflection in

opposite

Directions in the two cases, the connections are correct).

7. Without inserting the plug in the key K adjusts the rheostat so that
2
a null point is obtained on the fourth wire of potentiometer.
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8. Insert the 2000 ohms plug back in its position in resistance box and

by

Slightly adjusting the jockey near the previously obtained position of

null point, obtain the null position accurately, using a set square.

9. Measure the balancing length l between this point and the end P of
1
the wire.

10. Take out the 2000 ohms plug again from the resistance box R.B.
Introduce the plugs in key K , as well as in key K . Take out a small
1 2
resistance (1-5Ω) from the resistance box R connected in parallel with

the cell.

11. Slide the jockey along the potentiometer wire and obtain null point.
12. Insert 2000 ohms plug back in its position in R.B. and if necessary
make further adjustment for sharp null point.

13. Measure the balancing length l2 from end P.

14. Remove the plug keys at K1 and K2. Wait for some time and for the
same value of current (as shown by the ammeter); repeat the steps 7 to

13.

15. Repeat the observations for different values of R repeating each

observation twice.
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16. Calculate the internal resistance of cell by using the above
relation for r.

Step 2

To see the effect of distance between the electrodes on internal

resistance keeping the other factors constant, very the separation between

the electrodes and measure the internal resistance in each case.

Draw a graph between the separation between the electrodes and

the internal resistance.

Step 3

To see the effect of the area (size) of electrodes I electrolyte on

internal resistance keeping other factors constant, increase the area of

electrodes in electrolyte by dipping them into electrolyte and measure

the internal resistance of cell in each case. Plot the graph between the

two parameters.

Step 4

To see the effect of the temperature of electrolyte on the internal

resistance by keeping other factors constant.

Keep the primary cell in water bath to heat the electrolyte.

Determine the internal resistance at various temperatures. Plot the

graph between the two variables.

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Step 5

To see the effect of the concentration (nature) of electrolyte on

internal resistance by.

Keeping the other factors constant, decrease the concentration of

electrolyte by adding the distilled water and determine the internal

resistance of cell in each case. Plot the graph between the two.

OBSERVATIONS

(A) Internal resistance of cell

1. Least count of ammeter=……… A.

Zero correction in ammeter=.......... A.

Emf of the standard cell (Leclanche or Daniel cell) E=……… V.

Emf of the standard cell as determined in step 1=………Ω.

2. Table for internal resistance for step 1.

(B) To study the effect of separation between the electrodes

1. EMF of cell E=………V

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Area of electrodes = ……… 2
cm
Temperature………°c

2. Table for effect of separation between electrodes for

step 2.

(C) Effect of temperature of electrolyte on the internal

resistance

1. Emf of cell E=………

2. Distance between electrodes=………

Area of electrodes, A=………

Current in ammeter=………
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CONCLUSIONS

1. The emf of a cell is constant E=………V.

2. The internal resistance of a cell is directly proportional to the

separation between electrodes.

3. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the

area of the electrodes dipped in electrolyte.

4. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the

temperature of electrolytes.

5. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the

concentration of the electrolyte.

PRECAUTIONS

1. The connection should be neat, clean and tight.

2. The plugs should be introduced in the keys only when the

observations are to be taken.

3. The positive poles of the battery E and cells E and E should

1 2
all be connected to the terminal at the zero of the wires.
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4. The jockey key should not be rubbed along the wire. It should

touch the wire gently.

5. The ammeter reading should remain constant for a particular

set of observation. If necessary, adjust the rheostat for this

purpose.

6. The e.m.f. of the battery should be greater than the e.m.f. of

the either of the two cells.

7. Some high resistance plug should always be taken out from

resistance box before the jockey is moved along the wire.

8. The e.m.f. of the battery should be greater than that of the

cell.

9. For one set of observation the ammeter reading should remain

constant.

10. Current should be passed for short time only, while finding
the null point.

11. Rheostat should be adjusted so that initial null point lies on last

wire of the potentiometer.

12. Cell should not be disturbed during experiment.

13. Jockey should not be rubbed against the potentiometer wire.

 PROJECT 1
SOURCES OF ERROR

1. The auxiliary battery may not be fully charged.

2. The potentiometer wire may not be of uniform cross-section

and material density throughout its length

3. End resistances may not be zero.